PARKING BILL: In high gear

FROM PAGE 24 said he felt like city leaders “kept moving the goalpost” so he broached the issue with the Manatee County legislative delegation, who voiced their support of the project during a January meeting. The proposed bill was born from there.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that he patrolled the city over a busy spring break weekend March 10-12 and found that parking wasn’t completely gone despite more than 35,000 cars coming into Holmes Beach each day.

On Saturday, Tokajer said the public beach parking lot was filled by 11 a.m. with 79 public parking spaces empty citywide at noon and 52 available at 3 p.m. On Sunday, he said the beach lot filled at 10:30 a.m. but there were still 88 spaces near the beach open at 11:50 a.m. He said those numbers didn’t include any of the available spaces in city lots or open church lots that welcome visitor parking.

Titsworth said that Robinson and Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse both took her up on an invitation to view the city’s available parking first-hand and that both were impressed with the amount of available parking.

By the time Robinson toured the city, the bill had already been submitted for consideration.

Contact Manatee County state representatives

Rep. Will Robinson Jr.

District office: 941-708-4968

Capitol office: 850-717-5071

Email: Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Mike Beltran

District office: 813-653-7097

Capitol office: 850-717-5070

Email: Mike.Beltran@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Tommy Gregory

District office: 941-893-5434

Capitol office: 850-717-5072

Email: Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov

Sen. Jim Boyd

District office: 941-742-6445

Capitol office: 850-487-5020

Email: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Joe Gruters

District office: 941-378-6309

Capitol office: 850-487-5022

Email: gruters.joe.web@flsenate.gov

Since the first approval, the parking garage bill has moved to the Regulatory Reform and Economic Development subcommittee. If it passes there, it goes to the State Affairs Committee before a House floor vote.

Key Royale couples tournament winners celebrate

From left, winners of the annual Key Royale Club Couples Tournament included John Hackinson and Ann Hackinson (second place), Steve Vasbinder and Debi Wohlers (first place) and Helen Pollock and Al Pollock (fourth place). Not pictured are third-place winners Ann Hitchen and Jim Hitchen. Thirty-two couples competed in the annual tournament. Starting in January and concluding in February, playing a handicap Pinehurst format over 36 holes, the winning team was Debi Wohlers and Steve Vasbinder with 115, 13 under par. Finishing second were Ann Hackinson and John Hackinson at 118, followed by Ann Hitchen and Jim Hitchen at 121 in third place. Fourth place went to Helen Pollock and Al Pollock with 122. Additional event winners were Brenda Solleveld and Tom Solosky for closest to the pin. The straightest drive was won by Brenda Solleveld and Peter Solleveld. Clarissa Hill and Nelson Eagle won the long drive contest while Linda Dorsey and Al Pollock won the putting contest. SUBMITTED